Fish Consumption Guidelines

Status of the Fishery (as of 06/12/2006)

Lake Martha is a 97-acre lake located two miles southwest of Hanover in Wright County. Seventy-four percent of the lake is littoral with 1.5 miles of shoreline. Lake Martha has a maximum depth of 25 feet and has one state owned public access located along the south shore. The last lake survey was conducted in 1996 with previous sampling conducted in 1961, 1978, 1980, 1986, and 1991.

With water quality improving and no winter kill since 1978-79, the fishery in Lake Martha has changed from being dominated by black bullheads and crappies to that of northern pike, bluegill and largemouth bass.

Largemouth bass were sampled by electrofishing on May 4, 2006. A total of 73 largemouth bass were sampled for a catch rate of nearly 71 fish/hr, which is higher than the average of 59 fish/hr for Montrose Area lakes. Largemouth bass sampled ranged from 5 to 20 inches with an average length of 13.7. Of the catchable size bass (greater than 8 inches), nearly 70 percent were greater than 12 inches. Growth rates of largemouth bass were similar to calculated statewide averages. The oldest largemouth sampled was 12 years old and 20 inches long.

Northern pike were sampled at a rate of 14.3/gill net, which is above the range of expected values for lakes similar to Martha and similar to the last three surveys. Northern pike ranged in length from 14 - 34 inches. Estimated growth rates were similar to those calculated from statewide data. Based on this high level of abundance, Lake Martha should provide angling opportunities for above average size northern pike.

Bluegill were caught at a rate of 74/trap net, nearly twice the rate observed in 1996. The average length of bluegill caught was 5.7 inches, and the largest bluegill sampled was slight over eight inches. Growth rates of bluegill were slower than statewide averages, reaching on average only seven inches by age nine.

The catch rate of black crappie (3.7/trap net) was identical to that of 1996. Black crappie caught in trap nets set in 2006 ranged in size from 6 - 11 inches with an average of 7.5 inches. Growth rates of black crappie were slower than statewide averages taking ten years to attain a length of eight inches.